Captain Twill

1,565 topics in this forum

1. 

   The Admiralty Slop Contracts 1 2

   March 11, 2005 by Gentleman of Fortune

   • 49 replies
   • 15.5k views

   This information below is on my webpage (see below) and comes from several sources. The discussion started at the Piratebrethren Yahoo Site and reflects several threads and discussions on that site . The sources include "Working Dress" by Diana de Marly (1986), Christopher Lloyd's "The British Seaman" (1968) and G.E. Manwaring, “The Dress of the British Seaman from the Revolution to the Peace of 1748, "Mariner’s Mirror, The Journal of the Society for Nautical Research, Volume 10, 1924. In 1628 the British Admiralty made sailor's clothing, called "slops," available to press-ganged men. They consisted of a suit of canvas with doublet and breeches, Monmouth caps, cot…

   

   Last reply by Matty Bottles, August 9, 2011
2. 

   Medicine in the GAop 1 2

   July 15, 2006 by Rateye

   • 39 replies
   • 4.3k views

   Afternoon all! As some of you may have noticed, I've become something of a doctor on the RabbleRousing in Port Royal. Thanks to the assistance of the generous Capt. Sterling, information for treating malaria was quickly afforded to me, thereby allowing me to save said captain's life. Now, to all in the know, I ask politely for any information on remedies, surgeries, accutrements or practices used by doctors, surgeons, shamons and or medicine men during the time of which we enjoy. I would also be interested to see if there are any within this region that have taken the persona of a ship's cutter. I'll be grateful for yer assistance, and will surely talk ill of ye that…

   

   Last reply by Mission, August 8, 2011
3. 

   A squib?

   July 15, 2011 by Mission

   • 20 replies
   • 3.5k views

   This is from Sydenham's book The Whole Works of that Excellent Practical Physician Dr. Thomas Sydenham (10th Edition): "...by which the Design of the Physician is as much frustrated, as he would be, that should endeavour to call out a great Number of Men, contained in a large House, orderly one after another, by flinging a Squib amongst them; which on the contrary would so disturb them, that all endeavouring to come out at once, the Passage would be so wedg'd up, that they would be all shut in." (Sydenham, p. 277) A squib, meaning a firework? Or what? Could you purchase such a thing at this time or did you make them? It seems like something a pirate might have had use …

   

   Last reply by Mission, August 6, 2011
4. 

   17th cet. Dutch cavalry

   March 13, 2011 by Capt. Bo of the WTF co.

   • 8 replies
   • 2.4k views

   I think I found the horse outfit I really like, just about convinced my self to go for it. I was gonna do stick with 1790 colonial Spanish Missouri (I already got most of those toys from years of playin in it)but this is really what I'd like t do with my horse impression. I'd haveta get rid of my other gear to pay for it though . Bo P.S. THAT SHOULD READ [u]18th CENTURY[/u]!! How can I change the heading?

   

   Last reply by LadyBarbossa, August 5, 2011
5. 

   THE IMAGE OF THE ORDINARY SEAMAN IN THE 18TH CENTURY

   July 21, 2011 by AdamCyphers

   • 3 replies
   • 1.5k views

   http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/essays/essays_ordinary_seaman.cfm#head6 i ran across this in my web wanderings and wanted to know peoples opinions on the first part of this article.

   

   Last reply by Mission, July 21, 2011
6. 

   keeping cool in a period fashion 1 2

   July 13, 2011 by Silver

   • 25 replies
   • 3.2k views

   i am looking for references of how 17th century mariners kept their cool in the hot amd humid climates that they sailed in.

   

   Last reply by Capt. Sterling, July 16, 2011
7. 

   Preventive medicine in the Golden Age

   July 8, 2011 by Daniel

   • 10 replies
   • 1.3k views

   Mission, or anyone who can chime in, were there popular quack medicines or magic charms (or possibly even something that worked?) that were popular by 1714 for preventing the scourges of the age like smallpox, yellow fever, typhus, gangrene, tetanus/lockjaw, etc.? I see no reference to the smallpox inoculation being used in America before 1721, but if I know anything about human psychology, I would guess something was used before then, even if it was completely ineffective, just to reduce the sheer anxiety of getting the disease.

   

   Last reply by Mission, July 13, 2011
8. 

   17th/18th Century Surgery reference books

   February 13, 2011 by PoD

   • 3 replies
   • 1.5k views

   I am finding a few good books on surgery of the period so I'll post them in this thread as a reference to the people involved in reenacting it. Heres the first. A French book of the surgeons tools and techniques from 1675 called L'Arcenal de Chirurgie (the surgeons arsenal): http://books.google....epage&q&f=false If you are squeamish you may want to stop reading it before you get to the surgery pages. Made me whince and cross my legs a few times. Scary stuff This one has some good pictures of bandages and dressing a leg amputation. Traite des operations de chirurgie 1721: http://books.google....epage&q&f=false This one has reference pictures to the d…

   

   Last reply by Mission, July 12, 2011
9. 

   Mosquito netting

   July 6, 2011 by Capt. Bo of the WTF co.

   • 6 replies
   • 1k views

   I have tried the search funtion and came up blank, I looked through the 16 pages of the buccaneer project thread and couldn't find the quotes about mosquito netting. There are/were two different descriptions given about how the boucaniers carried the netting, one stated the netting was carried around the waist like a sash. The other description had them wearing it draped across the shoulder like we see blanket rolls carried in the American Civil War. I am looking through my Exquemeling book on my Kindle, but so far haven't found either of them. I browsed Bennerson Little's book om-line also but couldn't find them there either. Does anyone know or remember where/who g…

   

   Last reply by Cuisto Mako, July 8, 2011
10. 

    17th Century Grenadier Equipment

    July 1, 2011 by Ivan Henry aka Moose

    • 5 replies
    • 1.5k views

    I am researching a late 17th Century British Grenadier kit and I am getting down to the details and need some help. Has anyone seen any pertinent documentation on their equipment during this time. I am PARTICULARLY interested in what materials their grenade bags were made of. I am guessing either a tarred canvas or a leather bag - to keep the fuses dry. Anyone still on here who would like to share information / insight? Anything helps.

    

    Last reply by Ivan Henry aka Moose, July 5, 2011
11. 

    17th century binnacle

    June 30, 2011 by rusty spike

    • 2 replies
    • 1.3k views

    OK hope this is the rifht forum for this. I was thinking about adding a binnacle compass to my navigation display but I don't know what they look like. I have found some late in the 18th century but no nreal early ones need help thanks

    

    Last reply by Daniel, June 30, 2011
12. 

    Period Wool Blankets

    June 24, 2011 by Brit.Privateer

    • 15 replies
    • 3.8k views

    I was thinking about obtaining a new blanket for my kit. But it then occurred to me, I don't have any sources that describe what a period blanket at sea would be like (I have references to blankets, but not of their construction). I guess the real question here is, was a blanket that a sailor would pick up be any different from a blanket that a common person would use on land? I doubt it, but assuming can get you into trouble. If not, I am thinking of getting a blanket from here: http://www.macauslandswoollenmills.com/products.html (see their products, the "natural white" blanket under "blanket (natural)" seems to fit the bill) Anyone else have recommendations on wh…

    

    Last reply by Grymm, June 27, 2011
13. 

    powder chest

    June 15, 2011 by Silver

    • 8 replies
    • 1.7k views

    i am planing to build a powder chest (an explosive device used as a defense weapon against boarders), i am not sure about the type of ignition system to use. has anyone ever built one or seen one exhibited? your inputs would be greatly appreciated. i do know that there is one described in John Smith's "Seaman Grammer & Dictionary" thanks

    

    Last reply by Silver, June 24, 2011
14. 

    Capiteyn Jan Bart

    June 24, 2011 by PoD

    • 4 replies
    • 1.7k views

    I just found this period portrait of a Dutch pirate named Capiteyn Jan Bart (or Jean Bart / Baert) from 1675-1724 check out his neck scarf thing. I havent seen one worn like that before. He is wearing the higher heel shoes too.

    

    Last reply by Elena, June 24, 2011
15. 

    The mariner's magazine 1669

    June 20, 2011 by PoD

    • 4 replies
    • 898 views

    The mariner's magazine: or, Sturmy's mathematical and practical arts. Containing, the description and use of the scale of scales; it being a mathematical ruler, that resolves most mathematical conclusions: and likewise the making and use of the crostaff, quadrant, and the quadrat, nocturnals, and other most useful instruments for all artists and navigators by Samuel Sturmy 1669 http://books.google....epage&q&f=false Great reference book. The Art of Gunnery section is extremely interesting having among other things instructions on the construction of paper and canvas grenadoes and how they are shot from mortars and grenadoe launchers.

    

    Last reply by Silver, June 23, 2011
16. 

    The Jonah

    June 10, 2011 by Red_Dawn

    • 13 replies
    • 1.5k views

    I was recently clued in to the concept of the Jonah in my quest to figure out why an otherwise non-evil crew would dump their shipmate John on the first available island*. Apparently, the Jonah is a sailor who gets blamed for every unlucky thing that happens on board that can't be explained by human error. I'd like to know more about this concept as it was in the Golden Age. What could get someone accused of being a Jonah? Was it a common sailor belief? How much would a Jonah's fate depend on whether he was on a RN, merchant, or pirate ship? What more can you guys tell me about the Jonah? Were they even called the Jonah back then? If it helps, John's meloncholic and unpo…

    

    Last reply by Tartan Jack, June 21, 2011
17. 

    PodCast from colonial williamsburg

    June 20, 2011 by Dutchman

    • 2 replies
    • 756 views

    here is a podcast from colonial williamsburg on piracy http://podcasts.history.org/053011/AgeofPiracy.mp3

    

    Last reply by Dutchman, June 20, 2011
18. 

    QAR Confirmed

    June 13, 2011 by Capn Bob

    • 2 replies
    • 983 views

    Its now official...the N.C. wreck has been officially confirmed as the Queen Anne's Revenge. Neddy is certainly getting the press this year... http://www.sacbee.com/2011/06/10/3692152/its-official-ship-found-off-nc.html

    

    Last reply by LookingGlass, June 14, 2011
19. 

    David Hebb's Piracy and the English Government, 1617-1642

    June 9, 2011 by Daniel

    • 0 replies
    • 588 views

    Piracy and the English Government: 1617-1642. David Hebb. Hebb studies how the English government handled the rising threat of the Barbary corsairs, who expanded beyond the Mediterranean to raid the shores of England in the 17th century. Hebb builds the story around two major anti-pirate expeditions: Mansell’s attack on Algiers in 1620-21, which ended in humiliating failure, and Rainsborough’s blockade of Sallee in 1637, which succeeded remarkably. The Barbary corsairs’ reach expanded because they adopted tall ships instead of galleys, whether by developing themselves or by adopting them from Christian renegades like Simon Danser or John Ward. King James I passionate…

    

    Last reply by Daniel, June 9, 2011
20. 

    Pirates and Benefit of Clergy

    May 31, 2011 by Daniel

    • 5 replies
    • 1.8k views

    One of the bizarre little twists of European and colonial law was the "benefit of clergy." In England, by the 17th century, if you could read Psalm 51, the court pretended that this established you were a clergyman, and therefore not eligible for the death sentence. In the old days they would actually hand you over to a canon law court, but by our period that wasn't done any more; they just branded you on the thumb to make sure you couldn't plead the benefit twice, and might sentence you to up to a year in prison. Psalm 51 came to be known as the "neck verse," because it would save your neck if you could read it, or if you could memorize it and pretend to read it (very…

    

    Last reply by Daniel, June 2, 2011
21. 

    The Barbary Corsairs - Pirates After All?

    May 30, 2011 by Daniel

    • 4 replies
    • 1.1k views

    The Muslim corsairs who operated out of Algiers, Sale, Tunis and Tripoli from the 1500s through the early 1800s were called "Barbary pirates" by English speakers throughout most of history. But most secondary sources from the 1970s or so onward do not call the North African corsairs pirates, insisting that these corsairs were really privateers acting under commissions from the government, and that they should properly be regarded as privateers. But, David Hebb makes a contrary argument in Piracy and the English Government, 1616-1642 (a very interesting book which I will report on later). Hebb says that the Barbary corsair ports, while each under their own Pasha (or Bas…

    

    Last reply by Daniel, May 31, 2011
22. 

    Regulations and instructions relating to His majesty's service at

    May 30, 2011 by PoD

    • 0 replies
    • 372 views

    Another great resource I stumbled across on Google Books Regulations and instructions relating to His majesty's service at sea By Great Britain. Privy Council 1731 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sGtUAAAAYAAJ&dq=editions%3AQ2ENAAAAIAAJ&pg=PP7#v=onepage&q&f=false Its towards the end of the Golden age of Piracy but its still got a lot of interesting stuff in it. The last section will be of great interest to anyone wanting to recreate shipboard paperwork and logs

    

    Last reply by PoD, May 30, 2011
23. 

    OI WILLIAM BRAND: Packages on the dock

    May 26, 2011 by Capt. Sterling

    • 21 replies
    • 2.3k views

    1673 William any chance you can blow up the cargo on the docks, especially what appears to be the dome topped trunks? And anything else of interest... Thanks

    

    Last reply by jendobyns, May 30, 2011
24. 

    De jure maritimo et navali or a Treatise of Affaires Maritime and of c

    May 28, 2011 by PoD

    • 3 replies
    • 730 views

    Just found this excellent book on google books. Its full of really useful info: De jure maritimo et navali or a Treatise of Affaires Maritime and of commerce by Charles Molloy 1682 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=4xCYDg6BjZMC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

    

    Last reply by Elena, May 28, 2011
25. 

    Indians on "English/British" Pirates Ships?

    May 27, 2011 by Tartan Jack

    • 6 replies
    • 1.2k views

    With the "Pirate Round" and the colonialization of both the Americas and India by the British and the trade between the homeland and the colonies, I was wondering about India-Indians (as opposed to "American-Indians") to on pirate ships in the Golden Age or the late 1690s-1720s. Are there any specific recorded examples? If so, who and what were they? Pirates? Servants? Just captives?

    

    Last reply by Daniel, May 27, 2011